Large basolateral processes on type II hair cells are novel processing units in mammalian vestibular organs.

ABSTRACT: Sensory receptors in the vestibular system (hair cells) encode head movements and drive central motor reflexes that control gaze, body movements, and body orientation. In mammals, type I and II vestibular hair cells are defined by their shape, contacts with vestibular afferent nerves, and membrane conductance. Here we describe unique morphological features of type II vestibular hair cells in mature rodents (mice and gerbils) and bats. These features are cytoplasmic processes that extend laterally from the hair cell base and project under type I hair cells. Closer analysis of adult mouse utricles demonstrated that the basolateral processes of type II hair cells vary in shape, size, and branching, with the longest processes extending three to four hair cell widths. The hair cell basolateral

SUBMITTER: Pujol R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4107051 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature